FP5KE Team will be active from Saint Pierre and Miquelon Islands, IOTA NA - 032, in 2025.
Team - Members of F6KOP Club.
Team leader - F2DX.
They will operate on 160 - 6m, CW, SSB, Digital Modes and 2m EME.
QTH - IleAux Marins.
More information later.
St. Pierre and Miquelon is a mini-France near Canada
Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a slice of France, separated from it by 4 thousand kilometers of Atlantic waters. This tiny archipelago, consisting of 8 islands with a total area of 242 square kilometers, is located close to the coast of Canada (to the famous Newfoundland only 25 kilometers in a northerly direction). This is all that France has left of its once vast overseas possessions, which once bore the proud name of New France.
People live only on two islands out of eight - Miquelon (the largest by area - 216 square kilometers) and Saint Pierre. The locals have managed to preserve not only the language, but also most of the traditions of their Alma Mater. So there are Basque berets and festivals, Breton crepes and other French gastronomic wonders, amazingly colorful neat houses on the background of harsh northern nature. The stunning flavor of this place leaves no guest indifferent, regardless of his age.
Weather and nature
St. Pierre and Miquelon is a miraculously preserved oasis of wilderness. The climate is circumpolar, so there is a lot of snowfall and winter temperatures can drop to -40 degrees Celsius (although the average is only -3 degrees Celsius). Summer is also not particularly warm: 16 degrees Celsius, strong wind gusts and fog (or drizzling rain). This archipelago has the right to challenge England for the title of Foggy Albion, as 240 days a year are foggy. Clear weather is characteristic only for the off-season, but it is spoiled by squally winds.
There are few normal outlets to the sea, with cliffs severely indented the coastline. The interior of the islands is a hilly lowland with many streams and small rivers running through it.
The wind-protected hillsides and flat areas used to be densely covered with deciduous and coniferous forests, most of which have been cut down (mainly for heating and construction) and have not yet been fully restored - in the polar climate trees grow very slowly (not enough sun). Birch and spruce trees, common and dwarf, prevail in the forests. The herbaceous plants growing here are similar to those found in our forest tundra and tundra, peat bogs and marshy meadows.
The islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon are home to many different species of animals, mainly birds and marine mammals. It is a great area for nature lovers and nature photographers. If you want to take good pictures of the animals, you will have to be patient. It is unlikely that you will be able to persuade them to pose, and none of them likes to be photographed.
There are over 300 species of land and sea migratory birds in the archipelago, including at least 100 nesting birds. Penguins, gulls, cormorants, tupiks, ducks and other birds live between hills and rocks, lagoons and dunes, sea and land. And seal haulouts stretch along the coast.
Saint Pierre and Miquelon for tourists and travelers
Despite its harsh and peculiar nature, the archipelago attracts more and more thrill-seekers and a special Nordic romance. People like to walk along the white sand spit that connects the islands of Langlade and Miquelon (total length of 12 kilometers), search for the wreck of the Transpacific shipwreck near Ile aux Marins, swim in the invigorating waters of local lagoons, explore taiga forests and peat bogs, and even visit the cathedral and the unique Museum of Prohibition.
A boat trip is the best way to see all the islands of the archipelago. Excursion boats run almost daily throughout July and August. They depart from the capital's St. Pierre and bring tourists to Grand Colombier, a tiny island turned into a natural bird sanctuary. The guides tell fascinating stories about the history, culture, and geology of the archipelago.
Heritage Museum in St. Pierre
A great place to discover the history of the archipelago. The museum building was built in the 19th century, with only 10 rooms totaling 500 square meters. In contrast to the Prohibition Museum, there is an exhibition of old bottles of rum, which until 1930 brought the locals a substantial income. Al Capone once lived in this house.
Ile aux Marins
There was a fishing settlement here until 1960. It was dismantled and the locals were relocated to the capital. Today, the fishermen's settlement has been transformed into the Archipélitude Museum, where photographs from the past and collections of fishermen's household items are on display.
Walking in Miquelon
This island has lagoons and dunes, taiga forests and peat bogs. The Maison de l'Environnem offers a “theoretical training” before heading out into the field to see the picturesque Cormorandier valley, hills and rivers, as well as the local fauna and flora.
The seal rookery in the Gran Barachua Lagoon
This is an excursion not to be missed by children or adults. The blue waters of the Grand Barachois Lagoon are home to countless birds (advantage of the duck family) and seals, common and gray seals.
St. Pierre and Miquelon also offers many other equally interesting activities:
- Take a trip on a sailing yacht (the archipelago has its own yacht club).
- Catch some lobster with your own hands and eat it with your family or friends.
- Visit Les Délices de Joséphine café for a delicious cup of tea.
- Go to the ocean to watch the orcas (available at any time of the year).
- Participate in or watch the Basque Festival (only available in August).
- Take a walk to Vigi Pond to snowshoe (only available during the cold season).
- If your health and fitness allow, take part in the 25km extreme marathon held in Miquelon.
- Or go horseback riding there.
- Visit the rousing Dünfest festival on the La Dune spit, which connects the islands of Grand Miquelon and Langland.